Web GIS as a Public Access Interface for a Data Warehouse: Going Public with Oregon's Environmental Systems Approach and Lessons Learned

Author: Mitch West
Organization: State of Oregon

811 SW 6th Ave
Portland, OR 97204
USA

Phone: 503-229-6295
Fax: 503-229-6124
west.mitch@deq.state.or.us

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ) is responsible for protecting and enhancing Oregon's water and air quality and for managing the proper disposal of solid and hazardous wastes. ODEQ is participating in the EPA's One Stop Program, which is directed toward three primary goals:

1. Foster cross-media and geographic approaches to environmental problem solving.
2. Provide the public with meaningful and timely access to environmental information.
3. Reduce the reporting burden on the industry.

ODEQ has completed an initial phase in development of an information management system that provides information to industry, the public, interest groups, and government regarding nearly all the facilities and operations of environmental interest in Oregon. The system integrates input from six "legacy" database applications using geographic location as the single integrating feature. The Web application uses SDE and MapObjects technology to provide both text-based and map-based user interfaces that employ only the simplest of browser technologies. (See http://www.deq.state.or.us)

This paper addresses the concept and process behind the use of location as an integration link, the creation of a warehouse using SDE, and the challenges in creating user interfaces for a non-GIS target audience using only the most commonly available technology. The focus will be a review of lessons learned during the project.